With just 2 months to go....I'm wondering how everyone is...how their training is going...if I'm the only on who gets the winter blues....if anyone wanted to quit within the last two weeks, and what everyone's run for this Saturday is??? Anyone out there???

I'm still hanging in there, although it's been difficult to get the mileage in. Last weekend was a 15 mile run and it was tiresome because there was about an inch of soft snow. My hips were very sore the next day. This weekend is 17 miles and I'm hoping the snow and ice will all be gone. it's not the long runs on the weekend so much since I run with some friends, but those pre-dawn middle of the week sessions that are challenging to squeeze in. We have just had so much snow and ice this year and I do not have a treadmill. You are definitely not the only one who gets the winter blues. February, although the shortest month on the calendar, always seems to drag. Hang in there, Spring will be here soon. How is your training going?

....Other than juggling my personal life, finishing my MBA, working full time, and training for this marathon all together, the training has actually been the most fun I've had training for any race...

So, not much going on in your life, leaves you with lots of free time, huh?

Alright JC 8 weeks to go and your 1st 20 miler was easy I always crash and burn on those long runs, so of course I also crashed on the marathon. That's why I'm only doing the half. Young and determined, you will do great but don't forget to enjoy it!

Well considering that we just had a foot of snow in my area all has gone pretty well so far. I just took that foot of snow as a challenge and ran with my Yax Traks on and rock. Now my pace was much slower but I had the road to myself for the most part on Saturday. Sunday I ran on an indoor track and did 8 miles worth of intervals which I needed to get in anyway. I've gotten two flat 20 mile runs in and have been doing some decent hill work. I have been pretty happy with my pace of my runs but feel I might be doing them too fast. I'm trying not to over do it. I ran a race a week ago that was a 10k and had a 7:30 pace (new PR). Amazing though that I was spent after the race and to BQ I would have to do that for 20 more miles!!!! My next big challenge is the 22nd when the 3rd of my 20's comes into play but it will have some good hills in it and then a 15K on the 30th. PerfessrR - You should do the pig. It is the 10th year annivesary. It is supposed to be really special. I hope the foot feels better. You need to make sure you get all of the flying medals this year. Flying Monkey and the Flying Pig.

Greetings from Louisville! A measly 13" of snow down here on Friday/Saturday. Between the snow killing the 20 mile long run hopes, and the Louisville "Triple Crown of Running" (5k,10k, and 10 miler in March), being properly prepared for the Pig is going to be a challenge. My last 20 miler was on asphalt and concrete that had frozen from heavy fog. I'm looking forward to a late spring marathon now.

Interestingly enough, most of the snow down here disappeared from the roads within 24 hours. Looks like Louisville's going to have to wait another day for mid-50s, although I'd happily strike out in shorts and t-shirt today if I hadn't wanted to get 9 miles in this morning. Maybe I'll do 5 and 5 tomorrow.

Tenacious: I run on the indoor track at the Mason Rec Center in Mason Ohio (It is north of Cincinnati). Is UA Upper Arlington? Now we all run to the beat of a different drummer but what made you want to go the opposite direction? Didn't you worry about running into other people? Personally you would have been driving me insane if I was on the track with you. It's like driving the wrong side of the road. Bad enough I have to worry about walkers walking in the jog only lane. However, the roads are meant for driving and I run on them so I try to be nice to the walkers in my lane. If only I could honk when I was running around them I am guessing their is more to this story.

No, UA is Urban Active. I live about 50 miles south of Cincinnati and Urban Active is the new gym in Florence. Beautiful!! But obviously not training minded when it comes to the track. Going the same direction on a tight track that takes 11 laps to make a mile is just pounding on the same muscles. It's like riding a horse in a round pen....you have to change directions so the horse doesn't become sore on one side. I realize it probably made some people annoyed....but I was very curtious and got out of their way. What they didn't realize was that they may only be on that track for 22 laps, but I was on it for 122 laps. And even though I would change directions for short periods, I just about trashed my knee from all the pounding I did when going the "assigned" direction. I'm just hopeful that the knee will hold out for my 16 miler----on the hills of Cincy---this weekend!